Chianti Festival
Theatre, music, and live performances in the villages of the Sienese Chianti, in Gaiole
About Chianti Festival
The Chianti Festival in Gaiole in Chianti
The Chianti Festival is a major summer showcase of live performances that travels through the villages of the Sienese Chianti. Promoted by the Fondazione Toscana Spettacolo together with the municipalities of Castelnuovo Berardenga (lead partner), Castellina in Chianti, and Gaiole in Chianti, the festival offers a widespread program each year that alternates between popular theatre, comedy, singer-songwriter music, and contemporary circus. It is one of the most beloved cultural events of the summer in the province of Siena, capable of bringing big names and quality shows even to the smallest towns.
Performances under the stars, between squares and hamlets
In Gaiole in Chianti, in the heart of the Chianti Classico region, the Chianti Festival chooses the central Piazza Ricasoli and the charming hamlets of the municipal territory as its stage: Monti in Chianti, Rietine, Vertine, and San Sano. Each evening takes place outdoors, usually starting at 9:15 PM, transforming villages and small squares into meeting places where the public gathers amidst hills of vineyards and ancient castles. The widespread formula is the hallmark of the festival: instead of concentrating events in a single location, it distributes them across the towns, enhancing the identity of each community.
A program for everyone
The Gaiole schedule ranges from traditional local brass band concerts to pop and rock music, as well as comedy and spoken-word theatre. Over the years, the local stages have hosted Chianti bands and ensembles, gentle comedy shows, and tributes to Italian music, balancing entertainment with artistic quality. Most of the events in Gaiole offer free admission, a choice that makes the festival truly accessible to families, residents, and tourists alike.
Culture and territory in the Sienese Chianti
More than just a season of shows, the Chianti Festival is a cultural project that links live performance to the Chianti landscape, a heritage recognized for its vineyards, medieval villages, and food and wine culture. Attending a show in Gaiole in Chianti also means discovering a corner of Tuscany far from the most crowded routes, amidst Romanesque parish churches, castles, and wine roads. The festival is an ideal stop for those visiting the province of Siena in summer who are looking for an authentic experience that combines art, community, and the beauty of the surroundings.
Chianti Festival — edition 2026
The Chianti Festival 2026 returns to the villages of the Sienese Chianti from June 19 to August 5, organized by the Fondazione Toscana Spettacolo with the municipalities of Castelnuovo Berardenga, Castellina in Chianti, and Gaiole in Chianti. The program alternates between popular theatre, comedy, singer-songwriter music, and contemporary circus, featuring major national names and local productions.
In Gaiole in Chianti, the festival offers six evenings, from July 12 to August 5, distributed between the main town and the hamlets, always starting at 9:15 PM and mostly with free admission. An opportunity to experience live performance outdoors, in the squares and small centres of the Chianti Classico region.
Programme Chianti Festival 2026
July 12 — Piazza Ricasoli, Gaiole in Chianti
- 9:15 PM — Banda Fortunato Vannetti, town band concert
July 13 — Piazza Ricasoli, Gaiole in Chianti
- 9:15 PM — Gli Scirockati (Francesco Perquoti vocals, Davide Ferretti guitar, Franco Moncelsi bass, Matteo Dragoni drums) — free admission
July 22 — Monti in Chianti locality
- 9:15 PM — Musica da Ripostiglio, "Avere ragione o essere felici?" — free admission
July 27 — Rietine locality
- 9:15 PM — Stefano Santomauro, "Happy Days" — free admission
July 29 — Vertine locality
- 9:15 PM — Gianmaria Vassallo e Tuttotoscano — free admission
August 5 — San Sano locality
- 9:15 PM — AlValenti, "Graficomico poetico con brio" — closing night, free admission
The Chianti Festival 2026 also continues in Castelnuovo Berardenga and Castellina in Chianti with artists such as Giobbe Covatta, Elio Germano & Teho Teardo, and the Rino Gaetano Band.
Highlights Chianti Festival 2026
In Gaiole, highlights include the comedy of Stefano Santomauro with "Happy Days", the brilliant music of Musica da Ripostiglio, and the closing night on August 5 in San Sano with AlValenti.
Prices Chianti Festival 2026
Practical information — Chianti Festival
Where it takes place
Performances in Gaiole in Chianti (SI) are held in Piazza Ricasoli and in the hamlets of Monti in Chianti, Rietine, Vertine, and San Sano. Shows generally start at 9:15 PM.
How to get there
By car: Gaiole in Chianti can be reached from Siena (approx. 30 km) via the SR408, or from Florence via the Chiantigiana SR222. Parking is available near the town centre. By train: the reference station is Siena, with onward travel by car or bus.
Tickets
Most shows in Gaiole offer free admission. For ticketed events and the updated program, it is recommended to check the website of the Municipality of Gaiole in Chianti and the Fondazione Toscana Spettacolo.
Contacts
Municipality of Gaiole in Chianti, Via Ricasoli 5 — tel. +39 0577 744711.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — Chianti Festival
Piazza Ricasoli e frazioni (Monti, Rietine, Vertine, San Sano)
Piazza Ricasoli, 53013 Gaiole in Chianti